It had been suggested that the 37-year-old may have earned a shock call-up to the tournament after impressing in the second half of last season which saw Man United come within an inch of lifting the Premier League crown for what would have been a 21st time.

In the end, Hodgson never even made the call but Scholes admits he might have just said yes.

"I wasn't offered the chance," the veteran midfielder claimed. "It was flattering to be talked about. But I wasn't asked, so it means nothing."

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson was no doubt pleased Hodgson kept his mouth shut as it meant Scholes was one of the few senior figures within the United squad who was available for the entire pre-season campaign.

Scholes wanted to get back too, after spending the summer reflecting on what might have been after that out-of-character late-season collapse that gifted the Premier League to Manchester City.

"It's always a motivating force when you lose the league," he said. "It's not nice to see another team celebrate winning the title on the last day of the season. That picture stays with you."